Since its inception in 1994, Born Free/New Beginnings, a program of Catholic Charities, has served as a visible sign of Christ’s love for pregnant and parenting mothers in Mississippi. Nestled in a serene, beautiful, and protected setting in Raymond, Born Free/New Beginnings is a residential substance abuse treatment program that offers intensive, individualized care to help mothers overcome addiction and address their mental health needs. Services utilize an individualized, holistic approach that extends beyond physical wellness, assisting women in adapting to a new, healthy lifestyle.
At Born Free/New Beginnings, our primary goal is to provide a supportive and nurturing environment where women can develop healthy coping strategies for life’s challenges, as well as essential life skills to promote healthy recovery from substance use. Our program is dedicated to educating, supporting, and empowering women and their families throughout their recovery journey.
The first program of its kind in Mississippi, Born Free/New Beginnings uniquely serves mothers while allowing children to remain in their care while receiving treatment. The services provided by Born Free/New Beginnings are funded and certified by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and accredited by the National Council on Accreditation.
The program receives referrals from all 82 counties in Mississippi and works in close partnership with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, as well as Drug Intervention Courts throughout the state. Born Free/New Beginnings prioritizes the admission of pregnant women and mothers who use intravenous drugs. When a pregnant woman is admitted to our program, she is encouraged to remain in the program for the duration of her pregnancy to prevent prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol.
Once beginning services at Born Free, the program’s intensive primary program, mothers receive a wide range of services including individual and group therapy, parenting education, anger management, peer support services, and treatment for trauma and co-occurring mental health disorders. We ensure access to prenatal, medical, and dental care for mothers and their children, and utilize the supportive services of community partners to address their health and developmental needs.
During this time, our trained therapists and clinical staff work to support mothers in identifying the underlying reasons that they use substances and develop personalized strategies to facilitate sustained recovery.
New Beginnings is a transitional program offered to consumers following completion of primary residential treatment in which services are tailored to support independence, self-sufficiency, and relapse prevention. Through partnership with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services’ Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, consumers begin to explore their educational and employment goals and develop a plan to make them a reality. In addition, we provide continued individual, family, and group therapy; case management; and access to supportive housing opportunities following completion of treatment.
Many mothers in transitional services progress to assume peer leadership roles, using their lived experience to provide invaluable support to new consumers who are just beginning treatment. During transitional services we emphasize empowerment, as well as promoting self-confidence and positive self-image. We have been tremendously blessed by The Glossary Salon of Ridgeland, who graciously provide services to mothers in our transitional services at no charge!
Upon completion of services at Born Free/New Beginnings, mothers are equipped with the tools they need to have the healthy, happy lives that they deserve and break the cycle of addiction for their family.
For more information about our services or to support our program, please call 601.922.0026.
